140 year of Shriners

Monday, December 29, 2008

Santa and Mrs. Claus visited young patients yesterday at Shriners Hospital, where they met Alyshia Shimizu, 14, who has stayed upbeat despite skin grafts that keep her confined to a bed. Alyshia suffered major skin damage when she contracted a flesh-eating bacteria in 2000 when she was 5 years old. She is expected undergo more skin grafts until she stops growing. She is with her mother Annette, standing next to Mrs. Claus; brothers Alex, 7, and Austin, 11; and father Tony.

Before Santa headed to Kalaeloa, he and Mrs. Claus were making a special delivery at the Shriners Hospital.Families watched as the children's faces lit up with smiles when they opened their presents.They must've been good kids this year, because each of the patients got a huge bag of gifts from Santa.The children, who range in age from 2 to 19 years old, are from all across the Pacific Rim.Photo by DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM

Santa Claus used to come to the Shriners Children's Hospital by helicopter, but that ended when neighbors complained about the noise. Ditto for the times he rode to the hospital through Federal Heights on a fire engine.

On Christmas, Santa drove himself to the hospital and sounded sleigh bells as he rode the elevator to spend the morning with three girls who had recently undergone orthopedic surgeries and couldn't spend the holiday at home.

Santa and Mrs. Santa -- on other days Ron and Cathy Mucho of Stansbury Park -- joined Shriner volunteers to give the girls dolls, sketch-pads, calendars and toys.

The bright Christmas bags seemed bottomless as Gaby Ysidro-Ambrosio and Angelly Elena Velasquez dug in to pull out Barbies, baby dolls, doll clothes and tiaras. Angelly, 3, squealed and laughed over each gift. She named her doll after herself and then called her Mia, which in Spanish means "mine." Gaby, 7, wasn't ready to name her doll, but liked the sparkly crown her mom helped put in her hair.

Gaby and Angelly both had operations to lengthen the bones in their legs. The girls and their mothers are from Mexico, where many of the young patients at the Shriners hospital in Salt Lake City come from, said Shriner Hal Martin of Al Kaleh temple. Kids from Colombia also get treatment here, he said, often to correct birth defects that may be connected with industrial pollution in their home countries.

"A lot of the children come with noarms, no legs," Martin said.

Brook Shafer, whose daughter, Kylie, 12, got a long-awaited but sudden appointment for spinal fusion surgery to straighten her back, said missing Christmas at home in Cheyenne, Wyo., was worth it.

"Otherwise, we would have had to wait a year," Shafer said, walking her daughter back to her room.

Prosthetics are built at the hospital, and special clothes are custom-made in the sewing shop organized by Ladies of the Oriental Lounge, one of the women's groups from the Al Kaleh temple, whose members come from throughout Utah.

The Shriners run 19 hospitals in North America to provide free medical care to children. While the Salt Lake City hospital specializes in orthopedics and spinal cord rehabilitation, other hospitals provide burn care and cleft lip and palate treatment and research.

Patients up to age 18 are eligible for treatment based solely on need. A family's income or insurance status do not matter. Insurance is neither needed nor accepted, said spokeswoman Melissa Phillips.

"The only cash register here is in the cafeteria," she said.

Shriners of North America members, all of whom are Freemasons, support their philanthropy by volunteering at the hospitals, helping patients' families with transportation and arranging events for the children during their stays.

Salt Lake City Shriner John Limb said raising funds for and volunteering at the hospital "is the funner side of Freemasonry."

The first thing a child sees upon entering Shriners Hospital for Children in Salt Lake City are a couple of brightly lit trees with presents stacked underneath.

Next are the lights and wreaths and bows that adorn the hospital walls. And that's just the beginning. During the holidays, staff and volunteers at Shriners say they do their best to plan activities and create an atmosphere where sick children can celebrate and enjoy the season while away from home.

This past week, a few patients made gingerbread houses. Other planned activities included making picture frames. And today, Santa is expected to visit the children at Shriners.

"Everything here is focused on the children and making them feel comfortable and happy," said Michael Babcock, director of public relations for Shriners in Salt Lake City. "During the holidays, we do everything we can to make this place as inviting and warm and home-like as possible."

The hospital specializes in orthopedic disorders and diseases. As many as 40 children can be admitted at one time for in-patient care while an additional 100-plus children are treated each week as outpatients.

The Salt Lake City-based Shriners has been running since 1925. It serves seven Western states and two states in Mexico and is funded through donations and an endowment fund.

For Babcock, Shriners is a great story of hope, love and giving."What sometimes gets lost is that we're probably giving these children the greatest gift of all," he said. "It's not a remote-controlled car or toys or clothes, but the gift of hope and healing."

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Members of the Ben Ali mounted patrol and their families on Thursday will stage a mini Christmas parade at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, 2425 Stockton Blvd.

Riding in a horse-drawn carriage, Santa, who is scheduled for a 9 a.m. Christmas arrival, will lead the parade. Children gathered in the hospital's play area will be watching out the windows for Santa's arrival.

Members of the Ben Ali Mounted Patrol will be joined by Shrine Clowns and Keystone Cops. The Christmas parade is a tradition at the hospital, and many parade organizers bring their families.

December 23, 2008--Justin Timberlake, who in 2007 signed a 5-year deal to be the host of Las Vegas' PGA Tour event, will be headlining Las Vegas golf again, October 12-18, 2009. The PGA Tour officiallly released the Fall Series schedule recently, and the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open falls the week after the President's Cup that is being played nearby at San Francisco's Harding Park Golf Course. That could be good news for the Las Vegas PGA Tour event as the world's top players will be just a short flight away from Las Vegas, and could come to play in the tournament that is played at Las Vegas golf course TPC Summerlin.

By most accounts, the 2008 Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open was a success, but organizers are looking forward to bigger and better things in 2009. Timberlake has said that he is upping the star power for the Wednesday Pro-am, while also keeping the same amazing level for the beneift concert, Justin Timberlake and Friends, that blew the doors off the Planet Hollywood Theatre at last year's event. A few of the notables participating in events surrounding the Open inluced Ellen Degeneres, Rihanna, The Jonas Brothers, Amanda Beard, 50 Cent, Lionel Richie, Janet Jones-Gretzky, and many others. View the official tournament website for sponsor and ticket info for 2009.

The golf tournament was won by Marc Turnesa, a pro golfer who comes from a long line of golf professionals and PGA Tour players. His great-uncle, Jim, won the 1952 PGA Championship, and his grandfather, Mike, was a six-time winner on the PGA TOUR who finished second to Ben Hogan in the 1948 PGA Championship. Mike was one of seven brothers, six of whom played on PGA TOUR. One of those, Joe, was a 15-time PGA TOUR winner. The brother Willie was the 1938 and 1948 U.S. Amateur champion and 1947 British Amateur winner. "I don't really feel like I'm carrying on a name," Turnesa said. "I guess I am without even thinking about it. I'm just trying to play golf as best I can and that's all I can really do."

Image Turnesa came to the 18th hole with a two-shot lead but struggled to make a bogey, thus solidifying his first PGA Tour win. "I was just trying to breathe, really," said Turnesa after receiving the trophy from Timberlake. "You know, I was ... I wasn't out of control nervous, but I was feeling it. I was just happy to get it done." One of the first people to greet Turnesa after the event was Las Vegas' Butch Harmon, a longtime friend of the family. Harmon also has helped Turnesa with his swing.

The 2008 Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open kicked off a five-year commitment between the Shriners Hospitals for Children and Justin Timberlake to continue the tradition of a PGA TOUR event in Las Vegas. The golfers and celebrities participated in the competition to help support the Shriners’ mission, while enjoying the signature flair that Las Vegas has to offer. All proceeds from the event benefitted the Shriners Hospitals for Children. The concert was said to have raised more than $1 million.

Mallard Lakes resident Cynthia Conner wants her neighbors to know about a raffle the Shriners are holding to support the Al Kader Hospital Transportation Fund.

The dedicated fund is managed by Al Kader Shriners in support of patient travel to and from the Portland Shriners Hospital.

The raffle is for a "beautiful handmade quilt made by Shelley Timm," Conner says, and is displayed in the foyer at the Shrine Center. Tickets are six for $5 and can be purchased by calling 503-682-4420 for credit card sales or by visiting the Shrine Center, 25100 S.W. Parkway Ave., Wilsonville.

"Visitors to the center can see the quilt," Conner says. "It's queen-sized, flannel-lined and is in blues and yellows with suns, moons and stars!"

Thursday, December 18, 2008

The North Stockton 4-H is holding its fifth annual Toy and Donation Drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Marina Marketplace at 3201 W. Benjamin Holt Drive. Mistletoe and tickets for a drawing will be sold. All proceeds benefit the Shriners' Children's Hospital.

Shriners Hospitals for Children. The Sacramento Debutante Gala will be Monday at Del Paso Country Club; 20 honorees will be presented formally. The gala, a celebration of tradition, family and community, benefits Shriners Hospitals for Children. The event includes both social and service components. Each spring, the debutantes organize a party for the children at Shriners Hospitals. The honorees dress up as "Alice in Wonderland" characters and present a skit titled "The Unbirthday Party."

More than a week after the Black Knights’ season-ending contest with Navy, Army’s senior fullback was officially invited to participate in the East-West Shrine Game, to be played on Jan. 17, 2009, at John O’Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium on the campus of the University of Houston. The postseason all-star classic will be televised nationally by ESPN2 with kickoff set for 4 p.m. (EST).

Mooney, who became Army’s single season rushing leader with 1,339 ground yards this fall, will rank as the 23rd Army player to perform in the East-West Shrine Game. Long held on the West Coast, the game will return to Robertson Stadium for the second straight season.

Upon his arrival in Houston, Mooney will be greeted by a familiar face as former Army head coach Bobby Ross will serve as head coach for the East team this year. Mooney worked under Ross during his first two years at the Academy before Ross retired from active coaching following the 2006 campaign. Gene Stallings, meanwhile, will coach the West team.

One of Army’s four team captains, Mooney became the first Army player since Carlton Jones in 2003 to rush for at least 200 yards in a game twice this season. He also posted five 100-yard rushing efforts en route to surpassing Mike Mayweather’s previous single season school standard. Michael Wallace had been the most recent Army player to accomplish that feat, topping the century mark on five occasions in 2000. Mooney slipped past Mayweather atop Army’s single season rushing chart on the final play of the Navy game, besting the former standard established in 1990 by one yard.

The East-West Shrine Game has been played annually since 1925 to help raise money and awareness for Shriners Hospitals for Children, an international system of 22 pediatric specialty hospitals that provide care for children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate – all at no charge. To date, the game has helped raise more than $15 million and informed millions of people about the mission of this extraordinary philanthropy.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

every happiness this Holiday Season and prosperity in the New Year. Thank you for being a member of the World's Greatest Fraternity and for your support of the World's Greatest Philanthropy - Shriners Hospitals For Children.

Only a few days left to bid on the Shriners Racing helmet of David Ragan or the Dodge charger go to www.cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280294736011 or www.cgi.ebay.com/DAVID-RAGAN-AUTOGRAPHED-NASCAR and get your bid in now! These will be collectors Items! Collectors are doing better than the stock mkt.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Cox is the fifth player ever from Western Oregon to be named to the team, since the school moved to the NCAA Division II level in 2000. Other players selected have been wide receiver Brad Satran (2003), linebacker Dave Morrill (2002), defensive back Elton Seals (2001) and offensive lineman Brian Crawford (2000). Crawford earned the Jim Langer Award, given to the outstanding offensive lineman at the game.

Cox was the only Western Oregon player selected this year, and was also the only athlete tabbed from the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.

Cox was named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year this past fall and he was a unanimous first team All-GNAC selection. The four-year starter is the GNAC's all-time leader in quarterback sacks (27.5) and tackles-for-loss (58.5). He ranked fifth among all NCAA Division II players in TFL and is eighth in QB sacks. The Salem native (North Salem High School) was also named the Wolves Marquis Spas Football Athlete of the Year.

The 2009 Valero Cactus Bowl will be televised by Lone Star Sports Channel, an affiliate of Fanz-TV of California. Fanz-TV has affiliates throughout the US and USVI. Please check your local TV programming

Played in an East/West format, the teams are comprised entirely of the 'best of the best' NCAA Division II college seniors. The Cactus Bowl Committee, comprised completely of volunteers, is responsible for all aspects of organization for the contest and net profits from the Cactus Bowl are donated to Shriners Hospitals for Children.

What we know today as the Cactus Bowl in Kingsville, Texas, actually began in 1994 as the Snow Bowl in Fargo, North Dakota. Two opposite ends of the country, but one strongly defined mission: to bring together the finest football athletes from the 150 plus universities that comprise NCAA Division II. The first Seven Years of the Snow Bowl produced over 100 players signed by the NFL and in the inaugural Cactus Bowl game alone, 25 players signed NFL contracts, inspiring the game slogan "the best players you've never seen."

On January 12, 2001, the Snow Bowl found a new home in Kingsville, Texas, as was consequently renamed the Cactus Bowl due to lack of frozen precipitation and abundance of prickly vegetation in South Texas.

Who is Valero? Valero Energy Corporation is a Fortune 500 company based in San Antonio, with approximately 21,000 employees and 2006 revenues of more than $90 billion. The company owns and operates 17 refineries throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean with a combined throughput capacity of approximately 3.1 million barrels per day, making it the largest refiner in North America. Valero is also one of the nation's largest retail operators with approximately 5,800 retail and branded wholesale outlets in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean under various brand names including Valero, Diamond Shamrock, Shamrock, Ultramar, and Beacon. Please visit www.valero.com

To check out more about the Cactus Bowl go to www.cactusbowl.orgGo by a Valero station and thank them for supporting the game and Shriners Hospital for Children!

A secret Santa came to Phoenix on Monday to spread holiday cheer and about $20,000 in cash to people in need.

The Society of Secret Santas is a group of anonymous leaders throughout the world who perform random acts of kindness to those less fortunate.

The holiday tradition began in 1979 when a Kansas City, Mo., businessman named Larry Stewart started handing out $100 bills after he made his first million dollars. Stewart died in January 2007, but his mission continues.

Stewart's goal was to have a secret Santa in every major U.S. city, something those who carry on his tradition hope to achieve. A Valley businessman joined the ranks this year.

Santa and his elves wound through low-income areas of Phoenix on Monday in search of needy individuals. They made stops at nearly a dozen thrift stores, laundry facilities, dollar stores and a Wal-Mart.

They also stopped at a Greyhound station, where Jose Manuel, Georgina Tejada and their three children waited for a bus to Los Angeles. The family was traveling to a Shriners Hospitals for Children for their youngest child, a 10-month-old boy with a foot deformity.

Manuel and Tejada purchased one-way fares with no plans of how to get home until one of Santa's elves intervened.

"Merry Christmas," the elf said, leaning close to Manuel as he pressed a bill into his arm.

Tejada whooped with joy.

In 1971, Stewart was penniless and hungry when he went to a Mississippi diner and ordered a meal he couldn't cover. When the bill came, Stewart pretended to have lost his wallet. The diner's owner reached under Stewart's stool and appeared to retrieve $20.

"Son," he said, "you must have dropped this."

Stewart vowed that if he was ever in a position to help someone, he would. And he did. It's estimated he gave more than $1.3 million to those who needed a hand.

Monday, December 15, 2008

I know the rosters for this game are set by East Schools vs West Schools but the West has players whose hometowns are in New Jersey, Florida,North & South Carolina.

The Western Hometowns are in Alaska, Arizona, California,Colorado,Hawaii, Utah, Washington, and Navada with a couple players from Saskatchewan, Texas, Oklahoma and a Fullback from Kansas.

If you are looking for your home town you will find everything from Alpine,UT.& Canoga Park, Ca. to Danville,Ca and Prosser Wa. to Vacaville,Ca also from Abilene, Tx to Masa, Az. As for Colleges they range for Air Force to Weber State.

For a complete list go go to www.shrinegame.com Take a Look and than join us for the game and root for your home, school or your team be it East or West

Oh ya there are a couple of players from the western states on the East team also

Friday, December 12, 2008

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Dec. 11) -- Central Washington University senior tight end Jared Bronson has been selected to play in the 84th Annual East-West Shrine Game in Houston, Texas, on January 17, 2009.

Bronson, who earned first team all-conference honors for the second consecutive season and was also a Daktronics, Inc. Division II second-team All-American, will become just the second player in CWU history to participate in the senior all-star game. L.G. Carmody, a CWU Athletics Hall-of-Famer, played in the game in 1947. Tom Parry, the winningest football coach in school history, also played in the East-West Shrine Game while representing Washington State College in 1948.

Bronson had a standout senior campaign for the Wildcats despite missing nearly five full games due to injury. He ranked second on the team in receiving yards (502) and receiving touchdowns (6) while ranking fourth in pass receptions (28). He saved his best collegiate game for last, when he corralled a career-high eight receptions for 169 yards in Central Washington's 49-42 loss at West Texas A&M in the first round of the 2008 NCAA Division II playoffs. Over the course of his two campaigns in a Wildcat uniform, Bronson helped CWU to a 20-5 record and consecutive NCAA Division II postseason appearances.

The East-West Shrine Game, which has predominantly been comprised of NCAA Division I seniors over the course of its recent history, is a prime opportunity for college seniors to showcase their talents for National Football League scouts. Over 300 representatives from all 32 NFL teams will be present in Houston during the week of the game.the East-West Shrine Game has been played every year since 1925 to raise funds for Shriners Hospitals for Children (www.shrinegame.com)

Thursday, December 11, 2008

The Christmas party yesterday at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Los Angeles was unbelievably awesome. Every one of us left there filled with hope and inspiration, and a certain feeling that would be impossible to replicate.

It was phenomenal to spend time with these kids, all of whom have faced such extraordinary life challenges at an extremely young age. Despite their illnesses, they had the best attitudes, were totally cool, and completely grateful. And for us, there is no greater gift than seeing the smiles on their faces as we spent a few hours with them getting creative with some holiday inspired arts and crafts.

Riverbank,Ca.-The weather was foggy and chilly for the city's 40th annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, but a large crowd of spectators endured the bone-chilling cold to see the entries wind through the downtown, detouring along Fifth and Fourth streets this year to avoid the road construction on western Santa Fe street.

The Best of Show silver plate went to the River Rats Motorcycle Club, a local group of six or seven young men formed only six months ago - they all graduated from Riverbank High School - which rides noisy "hogs" for recreation but also does a lot of community service such as picking up trash and painting over graffiti.

They made a financial donation of several hundred dollars to pay the Riverbank High and Cardozo Middle school bands to bring their music, color and swinging march to this year's parade.

Parade winners by category:Novelty comedy - first, Aahmes Clowns of the Livermore Temple of the Shriners who provide low-cost medical treatment for children with serious injuries; second, the Modesto Shrine Club Mini Lizzies who advertise the Shriners' services by buying their own miniature car and participating in parades.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

NASCAR driver David Ragan will auction off an autographed Shriners Hospitals for Children(SHC)-themed racing helmet on eBay, beginning Dec. 15 and ending Dec. 21. A special edition diecast car featuring a unique Shriners Hospitals for Children paint scheme that Ragan raced this fall, will also be available for purchase in December. Proceeds from both sales will benefit the SHC-health care system.

Ragan wore the helmet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway in September and the Oct. 12 ARCA race at Toledo Speedway. The helmet honors Shriners Hospitals for Children, an international health care system that provides pediatric specialty care at no charge. The helmet also features Ragan’s 2008 season sponsor AAA, and his team, Roush Fenway Racing. Please visit the fundraising page on the Shriners Hospitals Web site, www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/Main/Support/ to learn how you can place a bid on this one-of-a-kind helmet.

The Shriners Hospitals for Children paint scheme was created for Ragan’s participation in the 2008 season finale of the ARCA RE/MAX Series at the Toledo Speedway. The special edition diecast car, created in its likeness, is available for pre-order for $29.95 plus shipping and handling at www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/Main/Support/. Only 2,500 of these unique collector’s items, which will be signed by Ragan, will be available.

Ragan named Shriners Hospitals for Children his official charity of choice at the annual convention of Shriners International on July 1 in St. Louis. In addition to these unique opportunities to raise funds for Shriners Hospitals, Ragan will visit as many of the 22 hospitals as his busy NASCAR schedule permits. He has also brought national attention to the health care system and the Shriners fraternity through public service announcements.

“I look forward to a long and productive relationship with Shriners International and the health care system they help support,” Ragan said. “With the help of NASCAR fans across the nation, I know we can increase donations to their worthwhile cause and ultimately help thousands more children in the future.”

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Home Depot was the Grand Prize Winner of the 2008 Prescott Christmas Parade.An estimated crowd of 10,000 flocked to the Courthouse Square on Saturday to enjoy Prescott's 26th annual Christmas Parade.

While parking was hard to come by, beautiful weather favored the event whose theme was "Home for Christmas," with Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans as Grand Marshals.

The parade route started at Murphy's Restaurant, traveling south down Cortez to circle the square before heading North to disband at Montezuma and Sheldon. Over one hundred entries included five marching bands and dozens of beautifully restored classic cars as well as some surprises. The Grinch imprisoned in a paddy-wagon and Shriners riding in miniature cars were certainly crowd pleasers.

www.EMCORGroup.com - EMCOR Group, Inc. (NYSE: EME), a Fortune 500® leader in mechanical and electrical construction, energy infrastructure and facilities services for a diverse range of businesses, announced that the Portland Oregon branch of its Dynalectric subsidiary has received a contract for the installation of electrical systems involved in the expansion of the Shriners Hospital for Children located in Portland, Oregon.Dynalectric Oregon will be responsible for the installation of electrical systems, including power lighting, voice and data, security, nurse call and DDC (HVAC controls), involved in the 149,330 square foot expansion to the hospital.Shriners Hospitals for Children is a one-of-a-kind health care system dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research, and outstanding teaching programs. Every year, the 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children provide care for thousands of children with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate, in a family-centered environment free of charge for the care."Dynalectric's philosophy---"Our Commitment Is Personal"---not only defines the essence of who and what we are about, and embodies the very foundation of our daily operations, accomplishments of the past, and goals for the future," said Randy Wagner, President of Dynalectric"s Oregon branch. "We are excited to be working on this important project, and feel honored to be able to provide Shriners" Portland Hospital with the electrical systems it requires in order to create an environment necessary for the treatment and healing of the children and the community it serves."

Santa Claus makes an appearance at Edmonton's Shrine Centre.He arrived as the guest of honour Sunday for their annual Christmas party.It's for the patients and parents of the children that the Shriners support.Potentate Jim Heron tells iNews880 they look to make a difference wherever they can."We just finished a big research Chair at the University of Alberta of $1.5 million dollars to do children's research on curvature of the spine. And we just completed a $5,000 dollar gift, actually it was $6,000, to the Glenrose Hospital for their children's wing."Heron says the Shriners help to finance 22 hospitals stretching from Canada to Mexico in expense of $800 million with no government funding.Heron adds they also collected a table full of gifts at their Christmas party to turn over to 630 CHED's Santas Anonymous this year. (TD)

Except when they're all carrying teddy bears, wearing Santa hats and talking over the engine roar about kids in a hospital.

About 6,000 bikers collected money and toys Saturday in Southeast Portland for the 29th annual Toy Run. Their motorcade delivered a TriMet bus full of gifts and several large checks to the Portland Shriners Hospital for Children.

This year's turnout was the biggest yet, said leaders of ABATE, the motorcycle advocacy group that organizes the charity event. ABATE stands for A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactment. The Toy Run brings together Harleys, Hondas, tough clubbers, mom-and-pop riders, even the occasional Vespa.

To raise money for the hospital, ABATE members raffled off a motorcycle donated by Gresham Honda. They sold raffle tickets for the charity event all year; 100 percent of the money goes to the children.

"You go out and see these kids and it changes your whole attitude about life," said Mike "Shag" Stewart, 67, a motorcycle rider from Corbett who has participated in 26 Toy Runs. "You may be depressed or sad, but giving to these kids changes you."

"Shag," clad in a black leather vest studded with motorcycle run pins and patches, was standing in the TriMet parking lot Saturday with longhaired and bearded Edd "Grumpy" Dahl from Southeast Portland, as bikers crowded around with armfuls of stuffed animals.

"Everybody looks at the patches and they make assumptions," said Dahl, another Toy Run old-timer. "But this is all about the kids, making their lives normal. This event makes you grow up and appreciate what you have."

The two bikers relived the years of toy hauls: Remember the year when a clubber took a kid from the hospital on his bike, and when they came back the clubber was crying?

Remember the girl who was able to get a job because of the communication device she received from the Toy Run?

Remember the kid who got a computer program that helped him order a meal all by himself?

In addition to all the toys, the bikers have purchased $300,000 worth of major medical equipment, including high-tech wheelchairs, for more than 70 children at Shriners over the past 28 years. The hospital -- which is funded by the Shriners, an international fraternity -- does not charge patients for their stay or treatment. But patients must find money for equipment.

The Toy Run started with nine bikers sitting around a tavern and deciding to collect toys for kids. ABATE took over a few years later and eventually came to an agreement that the toys and money would go to Oregon's Shriners hospital, rather than the Florida headquarters. The hospital serves children with orthopedic, burn or spinal injuries.

On Saturday, thousands of bikers rode en masse across the Ross Island bridge and roared up Pill Hill to the Southwest Portland hospital, headed by Santa, aka Donnie Stephens. One of the Shriners patients, 10-year-old Thomas Gabaldon, who is battling cancer, got to ride in a van with the motorcade.

Other children awaited in wheelchairs with parents and hospital staff members. They were prepped for the mind-numbing noise and leather-clad crowd that descended on the hospital. This year, Santa did not ride his bike into the lobby (as legend has it he did in past years), but he and other bikers handed out gifts, to the squeals of the kids in the hospital's rehab gym.

"The bikers are the sweetest men, they are just the salt of the earth," said hospital spokeswoman Kay Ekeya, who has helped coordinate the Toy Run for the past nine years. "Underneath the leather, they're just your typical lawyer or CEO or construction guy who loves to ride bikes. They have the biggest hearts."

by julie desmeules As I write this post, the cupcakes on this first picture may still be on the tower, or (most likely!) they may already have found their ways into the tummies of the guests of honor, the children at the Shriners Hospital Los Angeles

The Charles Marsland Jr. estate will give Shriners Hospital for Children $1 million to support a new hospital in the state.Advertisement

Since 1923, Shriners Hospital for Children in Honolulu has provided specialized medical care to 835,000 children from Hawai'i and the Pacific Rim at no charge. Located at 1310 Punahou St., Shriners Hospital recently launched its first capital campaign to raise funds specifically for this new venture. The total cost for the new hospital will be $73 million. The capital campaign intends to raise $14 million.

"This is the first time in 86 years that we have initiated a capital campaign to raise funds for our services," Gene Bracewell, Shriners Hospitals for Children International board of trustees, said in a prepared statement. "We have always provided free medical care to help children in need, and we have never taken any government funding. Our services are made possible by generous donations like these, and we are simply ecstatic about this significant contribution."

Marsland, a former Honolulu prosecutor, died April 11, 2007. A Punahou graduate and World War II veteran who served with the amphibious forces in the Pacific, Marsland returned to Hawai'i in 1967 with a degree in economics from Tufts University and a law degree from Northeastern University in Boston to work for First National Bank. He was working for the City Corporation Counsel's Office, handling routine legal matters, when the event that changed him forever occurred on April 17, 1975. That was the day his son, Charles F. "Chuckers" Marsland III, was murdered.

"Shriners Hospital does amazing things for children of all ages," says Pauline Grigg, a lifelong friend and partner to Marsland. "The Marsland family was very involved with Shriners, and we truly see the benefit their services provide. We are delighted that we can make a contribution to such a wonderful institution."

The new hospital will be 40 percent larger than the original building with state-of-the-art medical equipment and a modern interior that imbues a child-friendly environment. Construction at the site is already ahead of schedule, and the new hospital is expected to open in May of 2009.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Walking across stage to receive a diploma is an emotional moment for any high school senior.

But to Green Valley football and track athlete LaQuan Phillips, doing so June 9 at the Thomas & Mack Center would be a symbolic triumph to cap a nine-month journey recovering from partial paralysis.

Phillips, 17, returned home to Henderson on Nov. 21 and has been back at school since Monday. He had been rehabilitating at Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California in Sacramento since Sept. 16.

Phillips, who was a starting weak-side linebacker for the Gators, was injured in a collision during a game on Sept. 5. He suffered a bruised spine that led to the paralysis, from which he has been recovering faster than doctors anticipated.

"Walking across that stage has been on my mind every day," Phillips said. "Graduation is one thing so far down the line that walking by graduation is not that big of an obstacle, especially considering how far I've come."

Phillips, who remains in a wheelchair, successfully underwent surgery on Sept. 7 to alleviate swelling on his vertebrae.

Through vigorous rehabilitation, Phillips has gone from being immobilized in bed at Sunrise Hospital to standing with assistance at Shriners to the brink of walking on his own.

Dodge_shriner-auction An iconic muscle car of the 1970s, the Dodge Challenger, is back after a 35-year absence and a limited-edition 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 is up for auction on eBay through Sunday, December 7. Proceeds of the online auction will benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children.

The New England Dodge Dealers Association donated the car because the group wants to raise awareness and funds for Shriners Hospitals for Children. "The decision to donate the Challenger SRT8 was based on the positive personal experiences many of our dealers and the association's Board members have had with the Shriners and Shriners Hospitals," said New England Dodge Dealer Association President Frank Brody. "Shriners Hospitals for Children is truly a benevolent organization that has proven they really want to make a difference for children."

The Dodge Challenger SRT8, which is #234 of the 6,400 produced in 2008, goes zero to 60 in five seconds and is loaded with options, including a 6.1-liter Hemi V-8 engine with 425 horsepower, GPS navigation system, Keyless Go Entry, leather trim seats, an AM/FM 6-Disc DVD MP3 Radio, MyGIG multimedia system and UConnect hands-free communication.

Want to get another look at the car? Visit the New England International Auto Show! This car is on display at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, located at 415 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210 from Wednesday, December 3 to Sunday, December 7. The winning bid will be announced at the show on December 7, 2008 at 6 p.m.

Win the online auction, and you'll also be helping kids defy the odds at Shriners Hospitals for Children - a one-of-a-kind international health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care to children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate.

For a link to the auction site, go to www.BeAChallenger.com. At the time of this posting, bidding was already in excess of $31,000 and you can expect that number to climb as the auction draws to a close on Sunday, December 7.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

This is a great annual event that is fun to watch! Grab the family and stake out a seat (we caught it on Broadway last year) with a warm drink in hand to watch Santas, Elves and all sorts of holiday characters ride by on roaring motorcycles. There are thousands who participate in the ride, all to benefit Shriner's Hospital for Children..From the Portland A.B.A.T.E.'s website:Toy Run: Public welcome. Riders will start gathering about 10 a.m. Dec. 6 at the TriMet parking lot at 4012 S.E. 17th Ave. Tickets for a chance to win a Harley-Davidson, $10, will be sold there. The drawing will be at noon, and the ride to deliver toys to the Portland Shriners Hospital for Children will begin at 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Local firefighters donate handcrafted wagons to Shriners by Lou Sennick

Two sets of Red Wagons will leave the Bay Area soon and head to the Shriners Hospital in Boston. On hand to see them off last week were, from left, Loren Parrish and Jack Hoffman from Hauser; Jeff Jenkins from North Bay; Mick Sneddon from Charleston; and Matt Fare from Coos Bay.

Each wagon carries a sign listing the groups who helped pay for their construction and shipping. On the back, another sign lists the volunteers who constructed the wooden wagons.

World Photos by Lou SennickTwo sets of Red Wagons will leave the Bay Area soon and head to the Shriners Hospital in Boston. On hand to see them off last week were, from left, Loren Parrish and Jack Hoffman from Hauser; Jeff Jenkins from North Bay; Mick Sneddon from Charleston; and Matt Fare from Coos Bay.

The Boston Shriners Hospital and its small patients soon will get a gift from local firefighters — two red wagons.

The wagons will be used to help move young patients around the hospital and include an IV hanger. The wagons are the result of the Tofflemire Family Project, which has been donating hand-crafted wagons for the 22 Shriner Hospitals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Local resident Jim Tofflemire and some friends have been building the wagons in honor of his son, Phillip, who was a Shriner patient and passed away in April 2006 at the age of 23. Tofflemire said the wagons should last about 25 years.

The group will have completed 50 wagon sets by early next year. The two headed for Boston were funded with help from the Hauser, North Bay, Charleston and Coos Bay volunteer firefighters. Volunteers got together last week at the North Bay fire hall to send them off. Among them were Loren Parrish and Jack Hoffman from Hauser; Jeff Jenkins from North Bay; Mick Sneddon from Charleston; and Matt Fare from Coos Bay.

She’s a clown. It’s not like we couldn’t use a break. Yes, a break given the misery that sometimes wraps itself around us like light gauze.

Gwen Quinton dresses in costumes to entertain children at the Shriners Hospital in Los Angeles. For a November stop at the hospital, she dressed as a chicken.

Photo by Alex Horvath / The Californian

Once a month Gwen Quinton participates in a birthday celebration at the Shriners Hospital in Los Angeles.

Gwen Quinton wouldn’t tell me her age. It’s no big deal and I’m not sure why I asked. What’s important is that now in her sixth decade, Quinton has found her calling.

Clowning. Entertaining children at hospitals like the Shriners in Los Angeles. These are children who have been burned, lost limbs, or were born with cleft palates, club feet, curved spines and a host of other conditions. In other words, children who do not have a lot to laugh about but find reasons to do so nonetheless.

“I was a bookkeeper for 25 years, a certified massage therapist for 15 years and a security guard for five,” Quinton said, “But I never felt fulfilled. This is like my little niche.”

It wasn’t long ago that Quinton didn’t have a lot to laugh about herself. Eight years ago, she had a stroke. The road back included walkers, canes and crutches.

That behind her, or as behind her as a something like that can be, she’s returned to making the two-hour drive once a month to the Shriner’s Hospital located in a fairly textured neighborhood west of downtown LA. Quinton is a member of the Daughters of the Nile, the sister group to the Shriners (think Potato Bowl, colorful purple fezzes, small cars and good works).

The Daughters host a once-a- month birthday party at the 60-bed hospital for between 10 and 25 children. It doesn’t have to be your birthday. If you’re a patient, it’s automatically your birthday. Children are given party bags with coloring books, Crayons, small toys and are served cupcakes, apple sauce and juice boxes. The birthday boys and girls come in wheelchairs, on gurneys and some on crutches.

A couple of weeks ago, Quinton was dressed as a turkey. It wasn’t clear how many of the children knew she was a turkey, but that didn’t matter. Her costume was soft to the touch and Quinton was suitably gentle in her flight path around the large, airy room with the attractive wood floor.

Only one child cried (“some of them don’t like it when your face is covered up,”), and most of the others smiled, laughed or expressed some sort of delight.

“It gives me an opportunity to make the kids, who don’t understand not feeling good, feel better,” she said.

She has another reason for playing the clown, aside from her latent thespianism. It is a way of remembering her family. Quinton’s only daughter, Ginger, died in an auto accident in Arizona in 1991. She was driving with a friend who fell asleep. Ginger was 19.

Which is something, because when Quinton would try this sort of thing with Ginger, she would say, “Oh Mom.”

“Mom” can’t help herself. Every third Thursday, unless she is sick or flat on her back, Quinton makes the drive. With an assist from Fantasy Frocks, which loans her the costumes, Quinton can be a dancing bear, an Easter rabbit, Mrs Claus, Puff the Magic Dragon, Bobo the circus clown, or an unusually cuddly turkey that could double as a chicken.

Quinton is expanding. Recently, she passed the background check for the Children’s Hospital in Madera. She plans to make her debut in December.

Standing ovations are not necessary. Quinton doesn’t play for the back row. A smile, hug or a few soft words is payment enough.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Saturdy Dec. 6th The Victorville Annual Christmas Parade goes down 7th street from La Paz to D street, Starts at 10am.Line up starts on Mesa St at 8am. and thats where you will fined the Apple Valley Shrine Club warming up.

A medical team from the Shriners Hospital for Children in Hawaii will provide free consultative services for children with special health care needs who are age 18 or younger, and who have an orthopedic, arthritic or plastic surgical condition such as deformities, disease and injuries involving the bones, joints and muscles, “healed burns,” including loss of any part of the child's body.

The clinic will be held from Jan. 15 to 16 and Jan 20 to 23 at the Department of Public Health and Social Services clinic in Mangilao. For an appointment, or more information, call Arlean Kloppenburg at 735-7117 or e-mail: arlean.kloppenburg@dphss.guam.gov.